NAVAN PREVIEW:IT TOOK Ireland's best chaser Notre Pere to deny Operation Houdini Troytown Chase glory in 2008 but the Davy Fitzgerald trained-horse can go one better in tomorrow's €80,000 feature at Navan.
Hindsight makes Operation Houdini’s effort last year seem even more remarkable. Overcoming his novice status he disputed the lead with Notre Pere at the last only for an awkward jump to hand the initiative to his rival.
A horse that later in the season was capable of also winning the Welsh National and the Punchestown Gold Cup – and takes on Kauto Star today – was never not going to take advantage of that but he was still all out to win by a length.
Operation Houdini is 12lb higher in the ratings now and a rise of almost a stone in the weights means he has to concede weight to all but two of his 20 rivals tomorrow.
They include the ante-post favourite Treacle who bids to add to last month’s Munster National success at Limerick as well as the dour staying pair of Paddy Pub and Parsons Pistol.
But Fitzgerald’s runner is coming here on a roll, having secured a confidence booster over fences at Galway and then winning a handicap hurdle in a canter at Navan off a favourable mark.
The Co Limerick trainer still has some doubts over Operation Houdini’s jumping but believes a good experience at Galway will serve him well now.
Ruby Walsh has commitments to Willie Mullins this time and he teams up with Polmar rather than Beroni who won impressively over hurdles at Galway last time. However Niall “Slippers” Madden can make the most of his opportunity.
Conditions are sure to be testing at Navan and that will make Judge Roy Bean’s job in conceding weight in the Grade Two Monksfield Novice Hurdle all the more difficult.
However, JP McManus’s horse looks a different proposition to the expensive-to-follow animal he was last season and he looks up to following on a Grade Three success over the course earlier in the month.
Edward O’Grady’s horses have been in wonderful form recently and the Co Tipperary trainer could also feature prominently in the Beginners Chase with the well-related Solstice Knight.
However, this looks a hot race with the well-regarded Sports Line making his debut over fences and the top handicap hurdler Psycho also scheduled to start.
Sports Line’s exuberant running style could leave him vulnerable in the conditions and Kimberlite King has the benefit of a decent run behind Osana here last time.
The Willie Mullins team have Cadspeed in the two mile maiden hurdle but this looks a good opportunity for the course bumper winner Perfect Smile who is highly thought of by Noel Meade.
Mullins though appears to have the winning of the Listed bumper with Killultagh Queen who was impressive at Fairyhouse.
The Navanauthorities are not predicting weather problems for tomorrow's card and manager Darren Lawlor said: "The forecast is for further rain on Saturday morning but that is to clear by the afternoon and that gives us every opportunity to race on Sunday."
